Mobile support frame

ABSTRACT

A lightweight frame for individual use, to promote safe locomotion, has a frame with two elongated, laterally spaced handles of adjustable height, for gripping by the user, and an arched support frame, providing unobstructed access between the handles, with a clear space for the user to safely prostrate themselves within the readily movable frame. The two frame lower portions extend laterally outward for enhanced lateral stability of the frame against tipping, and can serve as runners on ice, or be fitted with wheels or castors. The frame lower portions may be longer than the handles for greater stability. The frame is disassemblable, to facilitate packaging and transportation, and may have opposed matching portions of different length, to facilitate nesting together when packaged. Metal tubing, including sleeve couplings with set screws, may be used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention is directed to a support frame, and in particularto a mobile, personal use support frame to provide stabilizing physicalsupport for a user, particularly when moving in a potentially hazardousfashion or in a difficult or unusual medium.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Support frames such as walkers are widely used by handicapped orelderly people, who benefit from the assurance of support againstfalling. Some of these consist of a waist high, U-shaped frame which theuser can stand within, pick up, relocate an arms-reach away, and thenlean upon to assist themselves in moving in that selected direction.

[0005] Other walkers are mounted upon wheels, for use by more mobilehandicapped people. In similar fashion, a child's walker, having anencompassing frame within which the child is lifted, also is equippedwith wheels, being used to promote walking by a toddler.

[0006] A frame-like walker device for use on ice, similar to thefirst-mentioned walker-frame, above, has a planar, U-shaped foot portionwhich substantially parallels the U-shaped planform of the upper portionof the device, which a user occupies. This foot portion rests upon, andcan slide in stably supported relation along the surface of the ice, insupporting relation with the user. In the case of an ice rink, it isalso well known to use a plain (kitchen ) chair, in similar fashion as asupport on the ice, the user gripping the back of the chair and pushingthe chair in front of them. In Canadian Patent No 2,141,957 there isshown a child's “slider” for use on ice, having an encompassing circularframe within which the child is located. A larger, concentric frameserves as the slider-foot, upon which the frame can be moved over theice surface.

[0007] All the foregoing described devices have the severe disadvantagethat in case of a forward fall by the user, there is an immediatepossibility of striking their head upon the supporting device.Furthermore, in the case of the encompassing children's device, there isa requirement to lift the child into the device, while there are adversephysical and psychological effects, with the diminished range ofmovement and of personal restriction, induced by the surroundingenclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a unitary moveable, lightweightframe for use by an individual, to promote safe locomotion by thatindividual, the frame having a pair of handles at a predeterminedelevation, in laterally spaced, mutually opposed relation for readygripping by the individual in self-supporting relation, and a supportframe portion, providing substantially unobstructed access to thehandles by the user, whereby there is provided a clear space to enablethe user to safely prostrate themselves forwardly or rearwardly withinthe frame; the frame being readily movable by the user, to provide safesupport in order to maintain their footing, while moving in a selecteddirection.

[0009] The subject frame support portion includes lower membersconnected in supporting relation with the handles, being substantiallyparallel therewith and having mutual lateral separation greater thanthat of the above-mentioned handles, to promote enhanced lateralstability of the frame against tipping and overturning.

[0010] The lower portion of the frame may include runner-like supportportions for use on ice. Upper portions of the frame include at leastone over-arching portion uniting the mutually opposed side portions,while providing substantially unrestricted “walk-in” access to thehandles. In addition to having a “wide stance” to promote lateralstability, the frame lower portions may have an extended length,relative to the handles to provide greater longitudinal stability. Theabove-described handles may be of extended length, to provide a widerange of self-positioning of a user within the relative confines of theframe.

[0011] The handles may be adjustable in height, to enable selective useof the frame by individuals of differing stature.

[0012] The frame may consist of a number of disassemblable elements, tofacilitate packaging by the manufacturer, and transportation by a user.In some instances, a unitary frame may be preferred. Respective matchingportions of the frame may be of different length, to facilitate nestingof one portion within another, when packaged. The extent of asymmetryinvolved may be visually unobvious in an assembled frame.

[0013] The frame may consist of tubular elements, and may include sleevecouplings, for rapid erection and disassembly. The component parts ofthe subject frame may have a wide variety of shapes and sizes, to meetpackaging and assembly requirements. Thus, reducing the frame to a largenumber of component parts with associated coupling means can simplifyand minimize packaging requirements, whereas by disregarding constraintssuch as packaging considerations, and adopting a minimum number ofparts, the assembly of a subject frame can be simplified. For example,by combining the “overhead” hoop portions with extensive portions of thelegs, a four joint assembly requiring only four connectors can beachieved.

[0014] The adoption of eight to twelve joints can achieve asubstantially planar collection of parts, with associated simplifiedpackaging requirements.

[0015] A coupling sleeve incorporating a pair of set screws, commonlyused with electrical conduit, may be used to secure adjoining tubularportions of the frame

[0016] An alternative coupling arrangement may consist of spring-loadeddetent couplings.

[0017] In such a coupling, one tube end portion is telescoped within theend portion of an adjoining tube. The smaller diameter tube contains adetent that is supported by a spring such that the head of the detentprotrudes through a first hole in the tube wall. When the smaller tubeis slid in aligned relation within the adjoining larger tube, the firsthole comes into alignment with a second hole, located in the wall of thelarger tube. The detent, which is initially depressed inwardly bycontact with the larger tube, is then free to enter the second hole andengage its edges, thereby locking the two tubes in coupled relation.Inward depression of the head of the detent to move it radially inwardlyto unlock the outer tube then permits disassembly of the coupling.

[0018] Another alternative telescope coupling arrangement using aninternal plastic sleeve located within the larger tube, may be used,wherein rotation of the sleeve frictionally locks the two tubes.Selection of such alternative frame couplings is primarily based upon acompromise between cost and user convenience.

[0019] The subject frame may be used on ice; it may also be equippedwith wheels or castors for use when roller-blading with in-line skates,or even as a walker, for rehabilitation purposes.

[0020] The slight negative buoyancy and minimal cross-sectiondisplacement of the frame may well suit a version of it for use by thehandicapped in a hot bath.

[0021] A wide variety of tubing may be utilized in fabricating theframe, including aluminum tubing, seamless metal electrical conduit andother available forms. Nominal ½ inch or ¾ inch light-weight metaltubing is very useful, with adequate strength, and reasonable formingproperties. The adoption of radiused bends provides a strong, stiffstructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Certain embodiments of the invention are described by way ofillustration, without limitation thereto other than as set forth in theaccompanying claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a line drawing, as a side/end perspective view fromabove, of a first embodiment space frame in accordance with the presentinvention,;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a similar view of a second frame embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a line drawing of a third embodiment, taken in a sideperspective;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a general view of representative elements of the FIG. 1embodiment in disassembled relation;

[0027]FIG. 5 shows an ancillary seat for use with the respective frames;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a front elevation of a fourth frame embodiment, to amarkedly smaller scale; and,

[0029]FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the FIG. 6 frame embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a mobile support frame 20, with aleft half and a right half; has a left foot member 22, and a right footmember 23, each having upwardly extending heel portions 24. The heelportions 24 are connected to leg portions 26, 26 by way of connectorbushings 28. Hoop portions 30 span between the left and the righthalves, being connected to leg portions 26 by way of bushings 28, eachfitted with a pair of set-screws, that grip the respective tube ends.Hand rails 32, 33 extend substantially parallel with the respective footmembers 22, 23, being of corresponding length. Fastening bolts 34 andwingnuts 35, used in conjunction with the apertures 36 of leg portions26, enable the height of the handrails 32, 33 to be adjusted toindividual requirements.

[0031] It will be apparent from FIG. 4 that the left and right sidecomponents 22, 23, 32, 33 are illustrated as being differently sized,lengthwise, to enable their packaging in mutually nested relation.

[0032] In a frame 20 having a length as much as four feet, this nestingdifference of perhaps as much as two inches is scarcely perceptible inthe assembled frame 20.

[0033] Turning to FIG. 2, a frame 40 has downwardly divergent legportions 46, 46 that position the foot members 42 in mutually spacedrelation exceeding the lateral spacing of the hand rails 44. In the FIG.3 embodiment, the frame 50 has foot members 52 that exceed in length thehandrails 53, with the leg portions 56 being correspondingly angled,both laterally and lengthwise.

[0034] Removable wheels or castors 58, are illustrated, enabling use ofthe frame 50 by an in-line skater. Referring to FIG. 5, an ancillaryseat 60 has a pair of loops 62 through which one of the hand rails ispassed. The hooks 64 on the opposite side of the seat engage theopposite hand rail. The loops 62 permit the seat 60 to hang verticallysuspended from the hand rail, or to be swung over into an active,horizontal position, supported by the opposite hand rail and the hooks64. This is of great convenience for a parent in putting on or removingthe skates of the user, or for an adult user in dealing with their ownskates or shoes.

[0035] The hoop portions 30 of an assembled frame 20, 40 or 50 may be 48inches or more above the supporting surface, thus enabling a child toenter within the archway thus formed, without banging their head againstthe hoop portions 30. The capacious aisle thus provided by a respectivespace frame gives ample room for unrestricted movement, while thehandrails 32, 33, 44, 53 can be set at a desired height to affordexcellent support, to enable the user to maintain themselves upright,while in the unlikely event of a fall, collision with the frame elementsis improbable.

[0036] It will be understood that larger frames, including frames ofgreater elevation may be provided for larger users.

[0037] In the case of the FIGS. 6 and 7 fourth embodiment, frame 60,this has left hand and right hand halves 62, 64, connected by hoopportions 66, with hand rails 68 and runners 70, and has similarcharacteristics to the other embodiments. Due to the wide range ofalternative locations for the frame connectors, these have been omittedfrom FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0038] Thus, a specific model made up of light-weight ½-inch seamlesssteel conduit, for use by a young small child was provided with 45 inchlong runners; 30 inch long handrails, with 48 inch clearance at thespacer bridge “overhead” archway; with the handrails spaced 17 inchesapart, and the runners 34 inches apart. The frame weighed less than 20pounds.

[0039] With separable hand-rails, and as few as four frame bushingjoints (with set screws), located below the handrail apertures, minimaltime and skill is required, to assemble and dis-assemble the frame.

[0040] It is an undisputed fact that confidence breeds success,particularly in learning physical skills. It has been found that theconfidence inspired in a user by the frame can lead to extremely rapidprogress in learning to skate. In one instance, a three year-old childwas standing erect upon his skates and maintaining his footing andactually skating, unsupported, after having had two short periods ofcoaching while supporting himself within a frame in accordance with theinvention. One possible beneficial aspect of such use is theindependence from adult support that the frame confers, which appears tobreed self-confidence.

[0041] It is contemplated that in some instances frames may be providedhaving divergent handrails, enabling use by a wider range of users.Also, sloping of the handrails may be achieved by the provision oflonger securing bolts, enabling their assembly in a misalignedcondition, to meet individual idiosyncracies or physical impairments.

1. A mobile support frame for individual use, having a pair of handrails in mutual, substantially horizontal, parallel relation; hand railsupport means connected with the hand rails, and at least one spacerbridge securing said handrails in spaced relation, to providesubstantially unrestricted access between the hand rails, the framebeing readily movable by the user in a selected direction.
 2. The mobilesupport frame as set forth in claim 1, said hand rail support meansincluding mutually laterally spaced ground-contact portions, the spacingtherebetween being greater than the lateral spacing between said handrails, to promote enhanced lateral stability of the frame againsttipping and overturning.
 3. The mobile support frame as set forth inclaim 1, said hand rails being adjustably connected to said frame, topermit selective adjustment of the height of the hand rails above theground, to enable selective use of the frame by individuals of differingstature.
 4. The mobile support frame as set forth in claim 1, the lowerportion of the frame including two runner-like support portions for useon ice.
 5. The mobile support frame as set forth in claim 1, the framelower portions being longer than said hand rails, to promotelongitudinal stability of the frame, when in use.
 6. The mobile supportframe as set forth in claim 1, said frame consisting of a number ofdisassemblable elements, to facilitate packaging and transportation. 7.The mobile support frame as set forth in claim 6, wherein respectivecorresponding portions of the frame may be of different length, tofacilitate nesting of one portion within another.
 8. The mobile supportframe as set forth in claim 6, wherein said frame consists of tubularelements, with coupling means connecting adjoining frame elements indisassemblable relation.
 9. The mobile support frame as set forth inclaim 8, wherein said coupling means consist of muff couplingsincorporating set screws.
 10. The mobile support frame as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said hand rails include fastener means removablyengagable with said hand rail support means.
 11. The mobile supportframe as set forth in claim 1, having rotatable support means, tofacilitate movement of the frame over a supporting surface.
 12. Themobile support frame as set forth in claim 4, wherein said two runnerlike-portions each have curved ends, for attachment to leg portions ofsaid frame, and wherein one said runner-like portion is shorter than theother said runner like portion, to permit close packing of said twoportions in mutually nested relation.